• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

2

Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics

3

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

1

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

2

Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics

3

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
SuccessArts & Entertainment

Vanna White only works 34 days a year filming ‘Wheel of Fortune’—and was making a $3 million salary

Emma Burleigh
By
Emma Burleigh
Emma Burleigh
Reporter, Success
Down Arrow Button Icon
Emma Burleigh
By
Emma Burleigh
Emma Burleigh
Reporter, Success
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 13, 2025, 5:29 AM ET
Vanna White, co-host of 'Wheel of Fortune.'
The seasoned “Wheel of Fortune” co-host revealed she only works about a month each year, and has historically earned $3 million. Christopher Willard / Getty Images
  • Vanna White, co-host of Wheel of Fortune for the past 43 years, revealed she only works 34 days a year to film the TV show’s season. Shooting six episodes per day and switching in and out of luxe dresses, White has raked in an annual salary of $3 million. 

Working a multi-million dollar job isn’t always a total grind—one famous TV presenter has been bringing in the big bucks working about one month a year. 

Recommended Video

“We film about 34 days a year,” Vanna White, co-host of game show Wheel of Fortune, said on the “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show” broadcast recently. “That’s it. But [we film] six shows a day.”

White has been a long-time presenter for the iconic TV show—she’s been a co-host since 1982, working alongside Pat Sajak for over four decades until his retirement last year. And having just renewed her 2025-2026 season contract, White will continue her usual programming of filming six shows a day, constantly swapping out of fabulous dresses each episode. 

When asked if her lax schedule meant that she has 331 days off each year, White responded: “Yeah, I guess so. I’ve never looked at it like that.”

Working the best job in Hollywood—and fighting for her salary 

White’s job as a co-host sounds like a dream to most: presenting for one of the most beloved American TV shows, working only a month each year, and raking in about $3 million annually. She’s amassed an estimated net worth of $85 million—but had to fight for it.

In 2023 Puck reported that White had not received a substantial pay raise in nearly 18 years, while Sajak made about five times as much as her. As an indispensable personality on the show, White played her cards on the heels of Sajak’s retirement. When it came to renewing her 2025-2026 contract, she went in on salary negotiations, and came out the other side with a $10 million annual income. That’s about $294,000 for each day of work on her 34-day schedule. 

News spread of her intense—but short—schedule, and people online were quick to share their envy of White’s gig. Many agree she has one of the best jobs in Hollywood. 

“I can’t think of a downside. Everyone knows who she is but no paparazzi problems, one month of ‘work’, and im sure she’s paid well. Super sweet gig,” one user commented on a Reddit post. 

Read more from Fortune

  • This entrepreneurial couple cashed out their 401(k)s and sold a $126 million company—now, they run a U.K. soccer team
  • Trump’s 25% tariffs are backfiring and threatening Gen Z’s trade career aspirations—putting car manufacturing jobs in peril
  • Gen Z women are being sold a risky dream: the realities behind ‘investing’ in designer bags like the Hermès Birkin
  • Like Tim Cook and Gen Z, AEG’s top exec eats the same lunch most days and wears the same outfit
  • Warren Buffett reveals the unique education strategy he took in school—and eventually paid off with a $170 billion fortune
  •  

    Others compared White’s job to their own situation. Most Americans work a bit over eight hours per day, at least five days per week—and earn an average salary of $66,621, according to the Social Security Administration’s 2023 national wage index. White’s gig is anything but ordinary, and workers would love a slice of the Wheel of Fortune pie. 

    “Queen of efficiency,” one person commented on the post. “Meanwhile, I’m over here working 260 days and still can’t afford a vowel.”

    White’s 43-year career co-hosting one of America’s longest running game shows might come with a few caveats—pay disparities, stardom tribulations, and a jam-packed 34-day schedule. But it’s a pair of shoes most workers would love to step into. 

    “I do not feel sorry for you one bit,” Duran told White on the radio show in response to her intense weeks of filming. “That sounds like a great job.”

    At the Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit, Fortune 500 leaders will convene to explore the defining questions shaping the workforce of the future—delivering bold ideas, powerful connections, and actionable insights for building resilient organizations for the decade ahead. Join Fortune May 19–20 in Atlanta. Register now.
    About the Author
    Emma Burleigh
    By Emma BurleighReporter, Success

    Emma Burleigh is a reporter at Fortune, covering success, careers, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. Before joining the Success desk, she co-authored Fortune’s CHRO Daily newsletter, extensively covering the workplace and the future of jobs. Emma has also written for publications including the Observer and The China Project, publishing long-form stories on culture, entertainment, and geopolitics. She has a joint-master’s degree from New York University in Global Journalism and East Asian Studies.

    See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

    Latest in Success

    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025

    Most Popular

    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Fortune Secondary Logo
    Rankings
    • 100 Best Companies
    • Fortune 500
    • Global 500
    • Fortune 500 Europe
    • Most Powerful Women
    • World's Most Admired Companies
    • See All Rankings
    • Lists Calendar
    Sections
    • Finance
    • Fortune Crypto
    • Features
    • Leadership
    • Health
    • Commentary
    • Success
    • Retail
    • Mpw
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • CEO Initiative
    • Asia
    • Politics
    • Conferences
    • Europe
    • Newsletters
    • Personal Finance
    • Environment
    • Magazine
    • Education
    Customer Support
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Customer Service Portal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Single Issues For Purchase
    • International Print
    Commercial Services
    • Advertising
    • Fortune Brand Studio
    • Fortune Analytics
    • Fortune Conferences
    • Business Development
    • Group Subscriptions
    About Us
    • About Us
    • Press Center
    • Work At Fortune
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Site Map
    • About Us
    • Press Center
    • Work At Fortune
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Site Map
    • Facebook icon
    • Twitter icon
    • LinkedIn icon
    • Instagram icon
    • Pinterest icon

    Latest in Success

    elon
    SuccessIPOs
    SpaceX IPO targets $28.5 trillion total addressable market, mission to ‘make life multiplanetary’ and understand ‘true nature of the universe’
    By Nick LichtenbergMay 20, 2026
    5 hours ago
    Elon Musk sits with his fists together, looking up.
    Commentaryspace
    SpaceX will be worth trillions, but the space station that made it possible is worth even more — if we don’t squander it
    By Tejpaul BhatiaMay 20, 2026
    6 hours ago
    Professor Jeff DeGraff.
    SuccessWorkplace Innovation Summit
    ‘We’ve given them the short end of the stick’: Business school dean says AI could eliminate many jobs for young people—even as they lead innovation
    By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
    8 hours ago
    Arvind Jain, Founder and CEO, Glean
    SuccessWorkplace Innovation Summit
    While other tech CEOs warn of mass job losses, Glean’s chief says AI will never replace a single worker
    By Emma BurleighMay 20, 2026
    9 hours ago
    Shaquille O'Neal
    SuccessEducation
    Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: ‘Your character will take you further than your resume’
    By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
    12 hours ago
    Svenja Gudell, Chief Economist, Indeed
    SuccessWorkplace Innovation Summit
    Indeed chief economist says the sectors most exposed to AI are seeing a big growth in job demand
    By Emma BurleighMay 19, 2026
    1 day ago

    Most Popular

    Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
    Workplace Culture
    Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
    By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
    1 day ago
    Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
    Future of Work
    Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
    By Mike Householder and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
    4 days ago
    Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
    Success
    Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
    By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
    12 hours ago
    The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
    Politics
    The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
    By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
    8 days ago
    Spirit Airlines apologizes to all the Americans who can't afford any summer vacation flights as it shuts down
    Travel & Leisure
    Spirit Airlines apologizes to all the Americans who can't afford any summer vacation flights as it shuts down
    By Rio Yamat and The Associated PressMay 18, 2026
    3 days ago
    Dr. Bernice King on why companies that walked back DEI were never truly committed: 'If you retreat that quick…that reveals who you really are'
    Workplace Culture
    Dr. Bernice King on why companies that walked back DEI were never truly committed: 'If you retreat that quick…that reveals who you really are'
    By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
    1 day ago

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.